What is the difference between weathering and mass wasting?

KCSE Geography Paper 1 2007 Section B Question 10.

​ (a) (i) What is the difference between weathering and mass wasting?

• Weathering – is the breaking down and decomposition of solid rocks on the earth though physical and chemical processes without movement.
• Mass wasting- down slope movement  of the weathered material by the aid  of gravity.

(ii) Apart from plants, give three other factors that influence the rate of weathering

• Water
• Heat/ temperature
• Chemicals/ dissolved substances

​(iii) Explain two ways in which plants cause weathering 

• Plants roots e.g. trees grows into joints and cracks, they widen the joints and cracks as they grow causing rock blocks to disintegrated.
• Plants like algae, mosses and lichen retain water on rocks resulting to chemical weathering processes
• Decaying plant material produce  organic acids. That reacts with some of the rock minerals causing it to decay.

(b) (i) List two types of mass wasting other than soil creep 

• Talus creep/ scree creep
• Solifluction

(ii) Explain three factors that cause soil creep. 

• Heating and cooling of soil
• Freezing of soil
• Ploughing down hill
• Shaking by earth quakes/ heavy tracks
• Alternate drying and wetting of the soil
• Trampling and burrowing of the ground

​(c) Explain four effects of mass wasting on the environment.

• Leads to loss of fertile soil
•  Leads to loss of life and property
•  It may block the river or stream
•  Leads to displacement of people
•  It may lead to destruction of infrastructure and buildings
•  It may lead to formation of lakes

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